The mud of the road clung to her sandals.
Iras broke the painful silence.
"These are thy children ?" Esther looked at them, and smiled.
"Yes.

Will you not speak to them ?" "I would scare them," Iras replied.

Then she drew closer to Esther, and seeing her shrink, said, "Be not afraid.

Give thy husband a message for me.

Tell him his enemy is dead, and that for the much misery he brought me I slew him." "His enemy!" "The Messala.